Nevada jobless rate drops to 6.8 percent in December, lowest level since June 2008

Nevada's unemployment rate dropped even further in December to reach a level unseen since June 2008, and the state ended the year with nearly 100,000 jobs more than it had at the depths of the recession, officials said Tuesday.

The state's jobless rate dropped to a seasonally adjusted 6.8 percent in December, the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation reported. That's down from 6.9 percent in November and 9 percent a year ago.

"I am pleased to see Nevadans are going back to work and employers are adding jobs, helping to strengthen our communities," Gov. Brian Sandoval said in a statement. "There is still work to do, and I remain committed to continuing our efforts to build a strong and sustainable economy for future generations."

The employment agency's chief economist, Bill Anderson, said the unemployment rates in all of the state's 17 counties, which are not seasonally adjusted, are now below 10 percent, and the rate fell in each of the state's metropolitan regions.

The jobless rate in the Las Vegas area fell from 8.9 percent to 6.9 percent in one year, while the Reno area's rate fell from 8.2 percent to 6.2 percent year-over-year.

Carson City's unemployment rate fell from 9.2 percent in December 2013 to 7 percent last month.

The state added 38,200 jobs in 2014 compared with 2013, and Nevada has added 99,000 new jobs since hitting a recession low in 2010.

U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., called the report further proof that the state's economy is improving.

"The progress we have made since the recession is encouraging," he said in a statement. "Still, there is more work to be done. We must continue to bring jobs to Nevada and pass sound economic policies so that all Nevadans feel these positive economic gains."